Throw out or give to the local op shop anything you don’t need to take to your new home — or have a garage sale.

Prepare a list of everything you’re taking to your new house and divide it into what is going into the removal truck and what you’re taking yourself.

Begin packing in labelled boxes those treasures you can live without for the next month.

Whether you’ve been renting or you’ve sold your property, contact a cleaner to give the property a professional clean, including steam-cleaning the carpets, after all your belongings are moved out of the house.

Two weeks before:

Pack together in a safe and easily accessible place important documents such as passports and anything to do with your new home.

Contact schools, libraries, your bank and insurance company about your change of address.

Confirm settlement progress with your solicitor.

One week before:

Notify your post office to have your mail redirected to your new address.

Arrange to have the power/gas/telephone and water utilities disconnected and reconnected in your new home.

Send ‘change of address’ cards to family and friends.

Ask friends to help with pets and children on moving day.

Two days before:

Empty and clean out the fridge.

Pack a box of items that you know you’re going to want to have handy when you get to your new house, such as a kettle, teabags and cups, and soap and towels.

Check with your solicitor where to drop off your old keys and pick up your new keys on settlement.

Confirm disconnection/reconnection dates with your utilities.

Confirm removal arrangements with your removalist.

On moving day:

Check the property just before handover to ensure the cleaners have left it spick and span.